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Home » Easy Dinners » The Best Classic Chili

The Best Classic Chili

May 19, 2018

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The Best Classic Chili – This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.

The Best Classic Chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheese and sour cream

This classic chili is perfect for a weeknight meal because it can be made in minutes.  The only thing to chop is an onion.

How do you make good homemade chili?

  • Heat olive in a large soup pot. 
  • Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
  • Cook for 6-7 minutes.

onions and ground beef sautéing in a soup pot

  • Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. 
  • Stir until well combined.

chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper over browned beef and onions in a pot

  • Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce. 
  • Stir well.

diced tomatoes over chili seasoned ground beef and onions in a soup pot

  • Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  • Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce added to chili seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes in a pot

What do you top chili with?

In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe for chili, you may also want to have these things as toppings.

  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • sour cream
  • sliced green onions
  • saltine crackers or oyster crackers
  • diced avocado

What goes well with chili for dinner?

  • Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread
  • Quick & Easy Cornbread
  •  Two Ingredient Nutella Brownies

I’ve been playing around with this chili recipe for the past few months, making it many times.  My family didn’t mind the repetition at all because I really do believe that I ended up with the best chili ever!

Watch the step by step recipe video for this chili recipe below.

The best classic chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream

The Best Classic Chili Recipe

The Best Classic Chili - This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Amanda Finks
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
4.96 from 1220 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion -diced
  • 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper* -optional
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

Instructions

  • Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
  • Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
  • Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

I typically skip the cayenne pepper because I have a young kiddo.  Then, I put out some hot sauce for those adults that want to add some spiciness to their chili.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1249mg | Potassium: 1110mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Vitamin C: 12.8mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 7.5mg
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword best chili, chili recipe, classic chili, homemade chili
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Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.

2 image collage with text showing The Best Classic Chili
« Crock Pot Italian Chicken Tortellini Soup
The Best Classic Lasagna »

Comments

  1. Robyn Douglas says

    December 10, 2020 at 5:14 PM

    5 stars
    Great taste! And so easy!

    Reply
  2. Jen says

    December 11, 2020 at 9:47 AM

    5 stars
    So easy. We have played with the seasonings and have settled on just doubling the cayenne.

    Reply
  3. Jamie N. says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:26 PM

    4 stars
    Great recipe except very heavy on the cumin- in my opinion. I will make again but with less cumin! Cayenne pepper gives it the perfect amount of kick.

    Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    December 11, 2020 at 6:25 PM

    Excellent!! My first time making chili and I was so happy with the results. I did add some jalapeno to it just as an added jolt of flavor but it was quite good! Thank you

    Reply
  5. D says

    December 12, 2020 at 2:46 PM

    5 stars
    This recipe is great! I made it the first time per instructions, however from that time on I’ve changed a couple of things. First I don’t like the sugar in mine and I add fresh garlic and jalapeños. Salt as I go to the taste. I also like adding whole stew tomatoes that I cut in half cause I like it chunky. Awesome recipe that you can make your own.

    Reply
    • Avril Denise says

      December 15, 2020 at 5:44 PM

      Great recipe. Very quick and easy to make. My daughter is a very picky eater and she loved it!

      Reply
  6. Cristina says

    December 12, 2020 at 6:19 PM

    Made this for dinner tonight and my husband just said to me, “This is the best damn chili I’ve ever had. This is the way chili is supposed to be.” Great, solid, easy recipe! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Rem says

    December 12, 2020 at 9:01 PM

    5 stars
    Simple and delicious. Most importantly the husband approves. Not that i think women should put their man’s
    (or woman’s) needs before their own but im a crazy anxious ppl pleaser type and therefore regard his opinion of my cooking above mine. Okay ramble finished. Thx for this easy, yummy recipe!

    Reply
  8. Justin says

    December 12, 2020 at 9:12 PM

    5 stars
    Very good. Only thing I changed was I added bacon and sliced jalapeños. I do suggest to cut down on the sugar though.

    Reply
  9. Chris says

    December 12, 2020 at 10:13 PM

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe. Quick and delicious!

    Reply
  10. Bill says

    December 13, 2020 at 2:03 PM

    Regarding the browning of the ground beef:

    I notice the recipe calls for the onions to be sautéed in the oil for a bit and then you add the ground beef and brown it. Wouldn’t browning the beef with the onions and oil remove some of the onion flavor from the meal when you drained the fat from the browned ground beef?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 16, 2020 at 10:31 AM

      I used 93/7 beef and didn’t have to drain the oil.

      Reply
  11. Monica says

    December 13, 2020 at 2:47 PM

    Excellent recipe. I omitted the cayenne and add som Siracha sauce instead. Best chili I’ve made and super easy!

    Reply
  12. Jennefer says

    December 13, 2020 at 4:27 PM

    4 stars
    Great recipe! Next I would use 1 tbsp of sugar instead of 2 and maybe 1/2 tbsp less of cumin. I like spice so cayenne pepper is a must.

    Reply
  13. Honey in the Kitchen says

    December 14, 2020 at 7:42 AM

    5 stars
    Outstanding flavor. I like my chili a little thicker so I added arrowroot to thicken. Next time I will reduce the sugar to 1 TBSP, or perhaps omit. This is definitely a great recipe to make your own.

    Reply
  14. Sharon says

    December 14, 2020 at 8:43 AM

    I love this recipe!!

    Reply
  15. Monique Weber says

    December 14, 2020 at 11:56 AM

    5 stars
    I am a Midwest farm girl transplanted to Texas and this is my go to chili recipe. I do not eat beef so I have made a few modifications and I’m not talking turkey.
    I sub the beef broth for chicken stock made from better than bouillon and trade out the ground beef for beer brats removed from the casing. That is my families favorite and there are no leftovers with the three of us.
    If I am in need of a “no meat” meal I sub the stock with a veggie stock made from seasoned vegetable base from better than bouillon and use impossible burger ground meat substitute. I might have enough leftovers for one if I make it this way.

    Reply
    • Monique Weber says

      December 14, 2020 at 11:57 AM

      5 stars
      I forgot to mention I half the Cumin in both variations.

      Reply
  16. Dawneo says

    December 14, 2020 at 4:12 PM

    This pretty much my g to chili recipe. I make a couple changes. I swap the sugar for honey and use a heaping tablespoon, use fresh garlic (about 3 cloves) and a couple of bay leaves. I leave the cayenne to individual as hubby not a spice guy. Cumin screams chili to me and I just put a hardy palm full! Yummy all around recipe that can be tweaked if wanted. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Nicole Hendrix says

    December 14, 2020 at 6:20 PM

    5 stars
    Always a hit and so easy!

    Reply
  18. Angel On Earth says

    December 14, 2020 at 8:36 PM

    5 stars
    Didn’t use cumin and cayenne pepper. The chili still was delicious!!! Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  19. MC says

    December 14, 2020 at 9:37 PM

    5 stars
    Everyone who’ tastes this LOVES it!!

    Reply
  20. RUSTY ALLEN says

    December 14, 2020 at 11:25 PM

    5 stars
    awesome, simply awesome. I added a bunch of minced garlic as well just because I love it, but this recipe is superb!!!!!

    Reply
  21. Dawn says

    December 15, 2020 at 2:38 PM

    5 stars
    Absolutely Delicious

    Reply
  22. Courtney says

    December 15, 2020 at 3:54 PM

    5 stars
    I find recipes to use as templates because I can never be sure of what I’ve got to work with– This is a great recipe. Solid on its own, but great to jump off from as well. Many thanks for posting such a solid go-to!

    Reply
  23. Cindy Yan says

    December 15, 2020 at 5:55 PM

    5 stars
    I reduced the cumin to 1 tbsp, the chilli powder to 1 tbsp, I cannot handle heat very well. Surprisingly, this is a great tasty recipe. This will be myy go to chilli recipe from now on!

    Reply
  24. Gene'a says

    December 15, 2020 at 9:00 PM

    This is the best chili. The only thing I changed was a little less than half the cumin just because I am not a fan of cumin. Delicious recipe!

    Reply
  25. Toni says

    December 15, 2020 at 11:57 PM

    5 stars
    I’ve made this a dozen times now. I follow the recipe except for the sugar. I usually drain my chili but the recipe didn’t call for it so I didn’t and still don’t. It may not be healthy but it is delicious this way. Lol super happy I found this recipe! Thanks a bunch!

    Reply
  26. Emily says

    December 16, 2020 at 12:02 PM

    This is very good! I have made it 100% according to the recipe and then again with my own spin. I omit the sugar and add a teaspoon of cinnamon instead. I also double the recipe because it really only yields 4 servings. Finally, I always add an additional cup of beef broth because I don’t like super thick chili! It’s a good base!

    Reply
  27. Alice Lee says

    December 16, 2020 at 12:13 PM

    This recipe ha WAY too much cumin…..reduce the cumin to 1 teaspoon & it’s a great recipe.

    Reply
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Hi, I’m Amanda Finks –

Amanda Finks, RDN Profile Picture for The Wholesome DishI’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in the St. Louis, MO area. I’m an avid cook, travel nerd, & lover of good food! I’m trained in Food Science & recipe development.  It’s my mission to bring you the BEST recipes your whole family will love!  See More.

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